Centrifuge Performance of SCM Wall–Reinforced Pile-Supported Wharf Subjected to Yard Loads

Abstract

Yard loads may induce slope deformation and compress the piles of pile-supported wharfs, resulting in structural damage. In this paper, centrifuge tests were conducted to investigate yard load induced performances of pile-supported wharfs reinforced with T-shaped and F-shaped soil cement mixing (TSCM and FSCM, respectively) retaining walls. The TSCM and FSCM walls were located in the bent-yard connecting section and wharf performances were presented in terms of soil movements, bent displacements, soil and pore pressures, and pile bending moments. The results show that the slope soil migrated toward the waterside as the soil cement mixing (SCM) walls tilted, inducing tilting failure of the pile-supported wharf. The FSCM wall–reinforced bent showed greater displacements than the TSCM wall–reinforced bent at the same load intensities. Pore pressures were registered immediately after yard loads were applied but dropped to constant values or kept decreasing over time during the unloading period. Soil pressures generally increased with yard loading in the upper part but exhibited increasing-decreasing tendencies in the lower part. The soil pressures on the FSCM side were generally greater than those on the TSCM side in the upper and middle parts but smaller in the lower part. The bending moments on the FSCM side were generally larger than those on the TSCM side on landside because the structure-soil interaction was more intense. SCM walls are feasible and beneficial for reinforcing pile-supported wharfs under yard loads, and TSCM walls seem to be superior to FSCM walls considering their improved performance and economic efficiency.